Q&A Forum

How to get a CMA certificate?

Hi guys, I'm a fresh graduate of BSBA-Management Accounting. I'm aspiring to take the examinations for that certification. I've read some articles that in order to take the exams, you've to get an experience in practicing Managerial Accounting. What would be the ideal entry level job position that I've to experience in a certain company for me to have an edge before taking the CMA examinations? Does your experience has a bearing in your candidacy for such certification? I'm thinking to take the exams coming from the USA. If you're going to scale from 1 to 10, how difficult would it be to pass the examinations? thank you for the respond.

Answers

Anonymous

(Financial Manager)
| Jun 17, 2015

I would start defining your long-term goal first. Certification is important but more important will be your work experience. Do you want to work public or private. Do you want to work in small, medium or large companies. Where you want to go will determine in large part the jobs you go after. I think understanding general ledger accounting is important regardless of path. If you go private, start with staff accountant (GL) and move on to senior accountant in 3 years. Then either accounting supervisor/manager or financial analyst preparing and managing budgets and doing financial analysis. At the end of the day, you want to learn about planning, performance and control if you want to move up. But you have to have solid GL experience. If you go the public route, become an auditor and obtain the CPA, then move to private. Once in private, obtain the CMA so you have both certifications.

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